Battle of the Badges blood drive aims to give back to Rogers schools

ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The American Red Cross was at The Professional Learning Center at Rogers Public Schools on June 21 collecting blood donations for those in need.

“Today we’re doing a blood drive, and it is part of the Battle of the Badges, so you can come out and donate, whether it is whole blood or power red, to support either the firefighters or the policemen, and we are doing that for the community,” said American Red Cross team lead Ismael Marti.

Not only is Marti the team lead, but he works with patients on a special kind of blood work. Power red, which is a blood donation called Farias, gives you the ability to save six lives and whole blood which is three.

Power red blood donations are recommended for those with O positive, A negative or B negative.

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Keith Foster is the public information officer for the Rogers Police Department. He says that every year they continue to connect with their community by hosting the Battle of the Badges.

Foster also said it has nothing to do with winning or losing, the real winners are those that are going to be able to get the blood.

During the blood drive, Rogers’ police and fire departments faced off to see who could encourage the most folks to give blood.

Keith Foster said the Battle of the Badges is a great way to support those who work hard for the community.

Rogers police and fire departments are helping fund scholarship money for students with each unit of blood that was collected.

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